While the Las Vegas Golden Knights are competing in the Stanley Cup Finals, the city’s second professional sports franchise, the Las Vegas Aces of the WNBA, haven’t received the same media attention.
Formerly the San Antonio Stars, the professional basketball team relocated to Vegas for the 2018 season, playing their first game on May 20th, but it wasn’t until June 1st that the Aces were able to announce a media rights partnership.
According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, AT&T SportsNet will provide TV coverage for 15 of the Aces’ 17 home games, with ESPN 1100/100.9 FM broadcasting all Aces’ home games and playoff games. The Las Vegas ESPN affiliate is owned by Lotus Broadcasting Corp., their initial partnership with the Aces is for three years.
“We’re excited to be partnering with Lotus Broadcasting as we gear up for our first season of Las Vegas Aces basketball,” said Lance Evans, MGM Resorts International’s Corporate Vice President of Marketing-Entertainment and Sports. “Lotus Broadcasting has the strongest sports presence in the market, as well as a host of other assets that they can bring to bear, which will help us deliver the most comprehensive coverage of the Aces Experience that we possibly can to our fans.”
Local veteran sports radio host on Fox Sports 98.9 FM and 1340 AM, TC Martin, will provide play by play for the Aces on ESPN Las Vegas. The radio partnership also includes a 30-minute pre and postgame show on ESPN Las Vegas.
“Thanks to the Aces and Lotus Broadcasting; especially Tony Bonnici, for believing in me giving me this opportunity. Basketball and broadcasting have been a huge part of my life, so being able to be part of these organizations is truly special for me,” said TC Martin.
While the media rights deal for the Aces came four games into their inaugural season in Las Vegas, the exclusive partnerships with AT&T SportsNet and ESPN 1100/100.9 provides fans with more coverage than most WNBA franchises, as multiple markets are without TV and radio deals for their local team.
Brandon Contes is a freelance writer for BSM. He can be found on Twitter @BrandonContes. To reach him by email click here.